Moseley B13 Magazine June 2020 Issue 508

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B13 MAGAZINE

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June 2020 ISSUE 508

A C E LO C IN 3 S 97 1

M SELEY

MOSELEY BIG IFTAR: SUCCESS OF ONLINE EVENT

FRONT LINE IN MOSELEY: COPING DURING THE CRISIS

MOSELEY STATION:

WE NEED YOU!

VE AND EUROPE DAYS:

SOCIALLY DISTANCED CELEBRATIONS

HOPE AND RESILIENCE:

POETRY AND PROSE SPECIAL

at the end of World War II (pages 14-15). There's also a six-page poetry special (pages 18-23) to accompany the soul searching that many of us are experiencing at the present time.

MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE

JUNE20 EDITOR Mark Baxter (editor@moseleymagazine.co.uk) THE TEAM Ian Cook, David Isgrove, Stephanie Silk, Tessa Kate Lowe, Maria Arroja Ferreira, Tipton.

Debbie Aldous, PHOTOGRAPHER Position Vacant CONTRIBUTORS David Spilsbury, Moseley Local History Society, Tessa Lowe, Ruth Yorke, Jobe Baker-Sullivan, Izzy Knowles, Lou Robson, Max Jail.

PROOF READER Jane Barry ADVERTISING Position Vacant SOCIAL MEDIA Position Vacant TREASURER Leanne Holloway (accounts@moseleyb13.com) DESIGN Andy Wickett (andywickett@gmail.com) MAIL Moseley Publishing House Ltd. Moseley B13 Magazine, c/o: Moseley Exchange, 149-153 Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 8JP. ONLINE instagram.com/moseleyb13mag facebook.com/MoseleyB13Magazine twitter.com/MoseleyB13Mag info@moseleyb13.com www.moseleyb13.com PHONE 0843 289 3665 BOARD David Isgrove (Chair) Stephanie Silk (Editorial) COMPANY SECRETARY Position Vacant LEGAL STUFF Moseley Publishing House Ltd is a non-profit voluntary run company based in England and Wales. Company No. 07786560.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced, in whole or part, without express permission.

All material is believed to be correct at the time of going to print.

WORDS FROM THE

EDITOR

Anyone else got completely desperate and had a DIY lockdown haircut? I won't say how things turned out for me but do let me know if you hear of any Zoom fancy dress parties themed around the BBC's Tenko.

In more positive news I'm happy to say that we have been able to continue as a print magazine during the limitations of lockdown thanks to a grant received through Moseley Community Development Trust. Hat tips to Lorna Brewster, Izzy Knowles and all at Moseley Together in supporting the community and Moseley B13 Magazine during difficult times. Don't forget that Moseley Together is available if you are struggling and in need of any assistance - they are also dropping off copies of the magazine with shopping to those in self isolation.

Anyway, what's in this super soaraway issue, I hear you ask? We take a look at our magnificent key workers in Moseley on the Front Line (pages 8-9) and celebrate Moseley Big Iftar (page 10 and our cover stars). We also report on VE and Europe Days (pages 12-13), and remember the original street parties

I've given Editor's Choice a rest as it's a slightly challenging piece to write during lockdown with...er, so little choice. Let's face it, no one needs the first in a five-part series on shadow puppets or “My Favourite Cupboard”.

Be wise and let your hair grow.

Mark

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OUTLETS AandR News (320 Yardley Wood Rd) Drinksville (23 Woodbridge Rd) Greenhill Garage (89-91 Billesley Ln) Indigo Foods (50-52 St. Mary’s Row) Moseley Post Office (149 Alcester Rd) Nima Deli (103 Alcester Rd) One Stop (117 Billlesley Ln) Select and Save (174-176 Alcester Rd) Marks & Spencer (Saint Mary’s Row) The Mix (500,Moseley Rd) Farmers’ Market (Village Green) 2020 PUBLICATION DATES

ISSUE COPY SALE Jan (no issue) Feb 15 Jan Mar 19 Feb Apr 18 Mar May 15 Apr Jun 20 May Jul 17 Jun Aug 15 Jul Sep 19 Aug Oct 16 Sep Nov 21 Oct Dec 18 Nov

25 Jan 29 Feb 28 Mar 25 Apr 30 May 27 Jun < 25 Jul 29 Aug 26 Sep 31 Oct 28 Nov

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THIS ISSUE 12 04INNEWSHOUND 08 FRONT LINE IN MOSELEY 10 MOSELEY BIG IFTAR 11 FROM AMERICA TO ADELAIDE 12 VE DAY 13 EUROPE DAY

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14 CELEBRATING VICTORY 16 MOSELEY STATION 18 POETRY AND PROSE 22 KARL MERRICK 24 WAKE GREEN ROAD PREFABS 26 BRIDGING THE GAP 27 JUST TO SAY 28 SIR JOHN HOLDER 30 NEXT MONTH IN B13 MAGAZINE!

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NEWSHOUND

Tipton, the B13 Newshound Twitter: @B13Newshound / Instagram: @tiptonb13

CRIME COMMISSIONER OFFERS GRANTS TO GROUPS SUPPORTING THOSE SELF-ISOLATING Following a surge in voluntary and community activity to help those selfisolating under COVID-19 restrictions, David Jamieson, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), has made £200,000 available over the next six months to help fund voluntary and community activity which helps and supports people having to selfisolate under COVID-19 restrictions.

The link to the PCC website with all information and documentation is https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov. uk/community-initiatives-fund/.

The maximum bid amount is £5,000 and criteria for bids are that they must help to reduce the demand on all emergency services at a local level anwd/or mitigate the threat, risk or harm to local communities; help to protect the organisational health of West Midlands Police; enhance partnership working and help communities to mitigate the progressive stages of this national emergency through to supporting a return to normality. If you are interested in this initiative you can in the first instance contact hallgreen_support@west-midlands.nn.police.uk BOOTS TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE IN MOSELEY Boots is permanently closing its Moseley branch at 129 Alcester Road this summer. In a surprise statement a spokesperson said: “At Boots UK, we continually review our store locations to make sure they are where our customers need us most. It is never a decision we take lightly when looking to close a store. Unfortunately we have taken the decision to close the store on Alcester Road in Moseley, Birmingham and can confirm the store will be closing in the summer of 2020.

Our nearby stores in Sparkhill and Kings Heath in Birmingham remain open and will continue to offer pharmacy services to our customers.”

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POLICE GIFT FOR MOSELEY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TRUST Moseley and Kings Heath Police have attended the Moseley Exchange to present a cheque to Lorna Brewster and her team at the Community Development Trust (CDT). The donation was for £50, which was the profits from a tuck shop the officers have in the police station at Kings Heath.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “The Trust and their volunteer groups have been doing some excellent community work throughout the current Covid 19 pandemic, assisting the elderly and vulnerable with shopping, collecting prescriptions and social care, all crucial at this time. We think we can all agree this is a very good use of charity funding. Well done to all concerned.”

MIB’S ‘SHOW OFF YOUR FRONT GARDEN’ SCHEME IS TO REPLACE HANGING BASKETS Moseley In Bloom (MiB) says it will not be able to organise its annual Summer hanging baskets this year because of Covid-19.

Instead the group is organising a 'Show Off Your Front Garden' scheme.

A spokesperson for Moseley In Bloom acknowledged that the decision to scrap the hanging baskets was a significant loss, but said that with a yearly cost of £12,000 the annual Summer attraction was simply too much of an expense to shoulder this year. The decision to discontinue it follows the cancellation of MiB’s annual Open Gardens weekend, which is a major fundraiser for the charity group.

As well as the cost of organising the baskets there was also uncertainty over putting up, maintaining and watering them meaning that the decision had pretty much already been made for MiB. However, it is hoped the 'Show Off Your Front Garden' scheme will be a fitting replacement, as a spokesperson for the group explained: “I’m sure you’ll agree, Moseley’s amazing front gardens continue to inspire and give hope. We would like to invite every home in Moseley to participate in a special 'Show off your front garden' campaign. We think your hard work deserves to be celebrated and we want to help you do this.

“If you feel that your garden / balcony / hanging baskets or pots deserve to be shown off, please feel free to print off the Moseley In Bloom printable pdf sign from http://www. moseleyinbloom.org.uk/front-gardens or design your own, or simply handwrite 'Moseley In Bloom' on a piece of paper, and put it in a see-through plastic envelope and display in it your front garden. Then drop an e-mail tofrontgardens@moseleyinbloom.org.uk and let us know your address. We will flag up your wondrous work on our website and social media channels and let people know to look out for your garden as they take their daily walks.

“If you would like us to provide you with a sign, we have a partner printer who can help us for a small charge: A coated plastic sign will be £5 and a sign attached to a 1.2m stake would be £10. Just email us what you require and we’ll organise these for you. No matter how big or small your garden or display, we want to hear from you. Even if you just have one pot of flowers that you are particularly proud of, don’t hold back. Appreciation of the outdoors is such a great way to stay positive, so showing off your garden may help others find their silver linings as they are out for a stroll.

VACANT PLOTS AVAILABLE AT SPRINGFIELD ALLOTMENTS Springfield Allotments, which are off Wake Green Road to the rear of Moseley School at Springfield Road, B13 9NN, have vacant plots.

Plots of various sizes are available now to rent: large, medium, or small. The allotment site is spacious, and it is very easy to maintain social distancing – it is a good place to go to get your daily exercise. The site is also very secure with lockable gates and space for car parking.

If you are interested, please call or text Saif who is the Chair of Springfield Allotments, Tel: 07967 508363 and he can advise arrangements for viewing the site.

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COVID-19 MEANS MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL IS POSTPONED ‘TIL NEXT YEAR

The “Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul” event, which was due to take place in Moseley Park & Pool from 10 – 12 July, has now been postponed for a year because of Covid-19. The postponed event will now take place from 9 – 11 July 2021, featuring most of this year’s planned performers.

In a statement Carl, Gerv, John and all the Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul team said: “This has been a heart breaking decision for us to accept as we’ve spent the last nine months putting together what we consider our best line-up ever. We were so excited about seeing you all in July and bringing you everything you love about Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul with all sorts of new features.

“However, your safety, as well as that of the artists, staff and crew who make Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul possible, is always our top priority. The situation is changing daily but it’s clear that being able to hold the festival on 10 – 12 July this summer is very unlikely.

“We are pleased to announce that we have already confirmed the majority of our 2020 line-up for Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul 2021. They include Neneh Cherry, Maribou State (DJ Set), The Wailers, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Fatback Band, Nightmares On Wax (Live), Craig Charles, Pat Thomas & The Kwashibu Area Band, Hannah Williams & The Affirmations, Andreya Triana plus many more.

“We really appreciate how accommodating our artists and their agents have been in finding a way through the current climate. We are still in discussions with the remaining handful of artists and hope to confirm them asap. If they are unable to come, due to their scheduling, then we will be announcing their replacements in the coming weeks and months. So, for now, and like the rest of the world, we’re pressing pause on 2020.

“To those who have bought early bird tickets your commitment and support is so important to an independent business like ours, so thank you so much, we couldn’t do this without you! Your tickets will automatically transfer to 2021. You do not need to do anything, simply bring your 2020 ticket with you to Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul 2021. In appreciation you’ll be receiving free entry to our Winter Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul event and your choice of a pint, programme or T-shirt on us at next year’s festival. We will be letting you know after 1 June 2020 how to claim these thank you gifts later in the year.

“We’ve been humbled by your support and kind words over the recent weeks and we really value our Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Family. But if you would like to request a refund please email tickets@mostlyjazz.co.uk including details of your purchase before 1 June 2020.

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“Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul may not be coming to Moseley Park this July but we will soon be announcing details of the ‘Almost Jazz Funk & Soul Festival’ coming to you online on 10 – 12 July. Tickets for Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul 2021 will be going back on sale later in the summer. In the meantime please stay safe at home.

Pic credit: Aaron Walker MOSELEY COSTUME DESIGNER RECEIVES TOP AWARD FOR MAKING PPE A Moseley costume designer who works at The Birmingham Rep has been named as the latest winner in the #WestsideHero awards for her efforts making personal protection equipment (PPE) for the NHS. Kay Wilton, Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s head of wardrobe, who lives close to the junction of Edgbaston Road and Mary Street, has been making PPE clothing for staff at Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals for the past month. Kay has been helped by Caroline Mirfin, her colleague in the Rep’s wardrobe department. The Rep is temporarily closed because of Covid-19.

Richard Leigh, marketing manager at The Rep, said: “As Kay and Caroline can’t currently work, they’ve been creating scrubs and gowns for local hospital staff from home. I think they are brilliant!”

Mike Olley, general manager at Westside BID, (Business Improvement District) said: “This is a great effort by Kay and Caroline at The Rep, and we were delighted to present them with our #WestsideHero awards, which are well deserved. Mr Leigh drew our attention to a blog on the theatre’s website which mentioned the wardrobe team’s crucial PPE work.”

The Rep blog, entitled ‘Help Us To Help The NHS’, says: “With the unprecedented demand on the NHS, The Rep is eager to help. As many of our staff members are unable to work during the current crisis, they are turning their attention to supporting the NHS and its staff.

“Our wardrobe team have transferred their exceptional skills to helping front line NHS staff. Kay and Caroline have been tirelessly working from home to make gowns and scrubs for staff at Heartlands and Solihull Hospitals.

“We have identified two ways that we can help and you may be able to support the efforts. Hospitals across the region are in urgent need of PPE so if you have a sewing machine and are willing to make gowns for use as PPE, then please email COVID-19.PPE@bhamcommunity.nhs. uk to register your interest. Materials and patterns will be provided.”

AVOIDING BIKE STRAVA THEFT There has been a spate of cycle thefts in Moseley and Kings Heath recently and it seems that thieves are targeting high-end road bikes.

Although unverified, reports in the cycling press have indicated that thieves could be using the social fitness app Strava to track and locate bikes. Depending on a Strava user’s privacy settings, a lot of information can be found on the app, such as the locations where you start most of your rides – which hints at where you live and keep your bikes, the routes you commonly take and (depending on other settings) what bikes you own.

Thieves are using this information to find out where you live. They may then hang out near your house to see exactly where you store your bike and then come back in the middle of the night and be in and out within minutes.

To help prevent your bikes being stolen, it is important that you are aware of the sort of information that you share on the social fitness platform. Review your privacy settings on Strava and make sure that any activities you share can be seen only by your followers.

Also, make sure that you set up your privacy zone. This sets an area around your house so potential thieves can't see where you start and finish your rides.

Ian Cook info@moseleyb13.com

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Moseley B13 Magazine

MOSELEY ON THE FRONT LINE Moseley B13 Magazine speaks to front-line workers from three of our essential local services on how they are coping during the COVID-19 crisis...

and best in people – we have mostly felt appreciated for still coming in to work.”

keep the two metres distance.

We want everyone to be as safe as possible.”

What would you like to say to the people of Moseley?

DAVID, HOSPITAL COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

ARJAN, CO-OP, MOSELEY BRANCH

Arjan: “Be kind to people – even something small can go a long way – a lot of people are dealing with tough things and kindness can make a difference. Remember it’s essential shopping and not several trips each day, and please remember the government guidelines and

Moseley Hall Hospital (part of Birmingham Community Healthcare Trust)

How are you and your colleagues?

Arjan: “We’re doing well for the most part. Things are slowly calming down. This has brought out the worst

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How are you and your colleagues?

David: “Everyone is extremely busy but there’s a real sense of camaraderie, resilience www.moseleyb13.com

and absolute commitment to the community and to their health. Everyone has ‘stepped up’ and they just do whatever is needed wherever they can.

We’re working hand-in-hand with other hospitals, like the QE, to boost hospital bed provision. We’ve been using iPads to help patients feel connected in this time when visitors can’t come. Staff really appreciate gestures of support like the weekly applause and fire and police crews and other colleagues coming to our hospitals to join the applause. Recently a rainbow to support the NHS appeared at the entrance to Moseley Hall Hospital!”

What would you like to say to the people of Moseley?

David: “Thank you for maintaining social distancing

and doing all you can to stay well. Community spirit is vital and we’re proud to be part of this vibrant community – we’ve seen the very best of Moseley in this challenging time.

“Do use 111 to call for advice on non-urgent health queries. We continue to

follow government guidelines about not allowing visitors and thank everyone for their patience. We look forward to a time when we can allow visitors again and thank you for still supporting patients in other ways.”

SYLVIA, CHEMYCARE CHEMIST How are you and your colleagues?

Sylvia: “Some days are quite tough – we’re under pressure and so are the surgeries.

Some people are being so kind and we appreciate them being patient. We do realise that people are stressed and things can be difficult. Lots of people are very appreciative.”

What would you like to say to the people of Moseley?

“Please check you have a good supply of medicines and don’t leave it to the last minute as the supply chains are stretched and we just can’t get things more quickly.

We’re doing our best for you all.”

Ruth Yorke

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What a treat it was to hear my doorbell ring at 8 o’clock on Friday 15 May knowing that a Big Iftar celebration meal was being brought to me by a willing volunteer. Even more of a treat was the taste-bud tingle that resulted when the sun went down and I ate the first mouthful of the most fragrant and delectable pilau rice it has ever been my pleasure to encounter.

It didn’t take very long before I had eaten the whole box. So much for dietary self-discipline! The dahl was equally delicious but even I couldn’t eat two people’s portions in one go so I saved it to look forward to the next day.

What made the whole repast even more delightful was knowing that I was sharing it with other friends, known and unknown, who would be feasting together at the same time in different places. Unfortunately I am not a Zoomer so I couldn’t actually share in the virtual ceremony. I was just there in spirit, happy to be a small part of this, Moseley’s third Big Iftar. It is a wonderful idea, bringing neighbours of all faiths and none to become a part of Ramadan and to get a greater understanding of its importance.

A highlight of Moseley big Iftar this year was the poster design competition for children. Children from three continents, Asia, Europe and North America, created wonderful designs for this competition. The winners are Safa, Khadijah and Haleemah (sisters – see picture), Aseel and Aaminah.

MOSELEY'S

BIG IFTAR St Mary’s and St Anne’s Churches, Moseley Together, Near Neighbours and UK Islamic Mission Moseley, Strengthening Faith Institutions and Radio Unity FM 93.5 all came together as sponsors and partners to make this possible.

Maybe I shouldn’t single anyone out in light of all this but I feel it must be done. I want to give very big Big Iftar thanks especially to Shakil whose vision has brought us in Moseley this lovely occasion for three years now. The meal was a gift

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but I was more than happy to donate to MAGC (Moseley Alternative Giving Campaign), the chosen charity that our Big Iftar supports.

Eid Mubarak!

Tessa Kate Lowe Contact: shakil@sfitogether.org 07505 900 490 Donate if you will at https://magc. org.uk/ or in the purple collection boxes at the desk at The Co-op

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FROM AMERICA TO ADELAIDE

Musician Jobe Sullivan recounts the success of livestreams with classical singer Jeanne Conard Jones during lockdown...

From her walled back garden on All Saints Road, Jeanne and I kicked up a storm with a concert of Debussy, Schubert, Gershwin and spirituals.

We did it for the good of the neighbours, Jeanne’s old friends, and the soul.

Jeanne and I first met in 2019 when I accompanied her singing on the church organ at a funeral. I was spellbound by her intense, welltrained, emotional voice.

Our last professional engagement prior to lockdown was a concert where she

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conducted the Moseley Chamber Singers. As well as being a choral conductor, Jeanne is a vocal teacher and performs as a ‘coloratura mezzo-soprano’ – she lived an exciting musical career in the US and Germany for 30 years before moving to Birmingham in 2010.

We both felt we were missing something in our lives during the Covid-19 lockdown – that insatiable craving we musicians get to share beautiful music. We hatched a scheme to perform our favourite classical songs.

I’d drive over with my electric piano and she’d borrow a neighbour’s long extension cable. I’d sneak in the unlocked side gate into her garden.

The first livestream we did was on Monday 4 May at 1pm, broadcast on my Facebook music page. People tuned in from America (Jeanne's country of birth) to Adelaide (Australia, where Jeanne has friends). Unfortunately, it was cut short according to Sod's Law. My phone charger broke, so our livestream was a mere 12 minutes long before my phone ran out of battery.

Nonetheless, Jeanne emailed me to say: “The people standing outside the fence were very enthusiastic, and so was my highly-accomplished accompanist and assistant conductor in Germany."

We performed again on 18 May, adding some more repertoire, including ‘Over the Rainbow’ – and I performed a piano solo – Wiz Khalifa’s ‘See you again’.

We had beautiful weather, beautiful repertoire and encouraging neighbours. The only technical hitch this time was the wind, blowing away our sheets at any opportunity.

“Brava! Bravo! Wonderful - Too bad the wind was auditioning for a role in 11

an upcoming recording of the very opening scene of Die Walküre!” (the second part of Richard Wagner's Ring cycle) – one comment said on the livestream.

It was such a privilege not only to perform with Jeanne during lockdown but also to see all her old friends from around the world log on to support her. Music makes the world go round, and people will look around the world for music, especially from the people they love.

You can rewatch the livestreams by searching 'Songs in the Sunshine' on www.facebook. com/Jobesullivanmusic.

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through. I found the BBC drama SS-GB, based on a novel by Len Deighton, brought home to me what might have happened had Germany invaded and we'd lost the war.

Because of lockdown, it was a very muted affair but here are a few photos. It was a time to get outside of your door and to see your neighbours (at a distance) – and even a snake! The weather was amazing. In Trafalgar Road, we put our food and drinks on a table and spent the time chatting. I met neighbours I'd never known before – who'd been in the road for 2 to 15 years!! At least something good is coming out of this: a rediscovering of community – which is what people found during the war and why VE day was and is so important.

MUTED CELEBRATIONS Like so many things, VE day celebrations suffered with lockdown. On the television were many heart-moving programmes about the ending of the war, reminding you of the release that people felt on knowing that there were no more bombings or keeping lights off; knowing that street lights could be back on and you could take down your window blinds; knowing that you could meet others safely in the street and that kids could go out and play – all without fear.

It's hard to imagine the feelings and emotions of the time as we looked at film taken during that moment – but it'll be a bit like being able to shop, go to the cinema, theatre, pub, restaurant, see family and friends for the first time after lockdown.

Elsewhere in Moseley, some celebrated the following day for 'Europe Day' (see article in this issue) – a reminder that we should be so grateful for peace in Europe when there is so much war and suffering going on in many parts of the world.

One thing is for certain – we owe our freedom to that generation. Having had war thrust upon them, it was a fight to save ourselves and against all odds we came

David Isgrove 12

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EUROPE DAY

Europe Day is held on 9 May every year to celebrate peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historic 'Schuman Declaration'. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political co-operation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

Europe Day 2020 was like no other. Coming the day after VE Day, it was a sobering reminder of the end of WW2 and, in a time when the people of Europe and around the world are in confinement, isolated behind formed in a shared solidarity and concern for the closed borders, in homes behind closed doors, sick, the bereaved, the vulnerable, and the key this year we are together in a new way. workers keeping us safe and ensuring essential supplies.

For many people in Moseley, this year was poignant in being the first time in almost 50 years that Europe Day was observed without the UK being a member state of the EU. Some of us chose to combine celebrations sharing tea and cakes with neighbours in acknowledgement that peace and unity begins at home and no man or nation is an island.

Izzy Knowles The Queen hit the nail on the head in her VE Day address to the nation: “The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war was to ensure that it didn’t happen again. The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all.”

The community in Moseley has joined communities across Europe in pulling together, with friendships and partnerships info@moseleyb13.com

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MOSELEY MEMORIES

We celebrated the end of World War II twice, five years apart and with very different impacts. 8th May was Victory in Europe Day and our neighbourhood mounted the classic street party, clearly focused on children who had known only the gloom, privation and insidious fear of six years of conflict.

Suddenly, there was an enormous bonfire in front of us and no fear. There were no fireworks, of course, because gunpowder was only available for military uses. As the unfamiliar brightness lit up laughing faces, people pushed potatoes into the ashes and we enjoyed our first ever baked spuds. No butter or salt, of course, but seasoned with woodash. Delicious!

Dining tables and chairs were hauled out to form a line down the middle of Leighton Road, freshly ironed tablecloths spread and crockery hardly used in recent memory laid out. Carefully hoarded provisions were displayed by proud parents who had kept rationed goods in cupboards for months for just this day.

As all over Britain, the continuing war in the east was ignored. Only people with close relatives involved celebrated Victory over Japan Day in August. By then, most civilians just wanted to get on with the peace and a communal injustice took place as some of the worst victims were almost forgotten.

As evening drew on, they brought wood and fallen branches from back gardens and built a great pile at the top of Farquhar Road, where the blank walls of the terrace ends shielded houses on either side.

Five years later, Mickey Tyler told us one day in class 7 that something was going on at Billesley Common. He lived in Third Avenue, off Billesley Lane, and after school a group of us went to his house, where his mother welcomed us with tea and cake, and off we went.

All through the War, nights had been dark, no full streetlights, hooded vehicle lights, heavy blackout curtains covering windows (the Dad’s Army cry of “Put that light out!” was no fiction) and fires meant burning buildings and people dead or injured.

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I had never been there before, but when we got to the Common, it was difficult to believe what we saw. There was a Lancaster bomber, 14

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CELEBRATING VICTORY flanked by a Spitfire, a Hurricane and a Fairey Battle light fighter-bomber (some were built at Longbridge, just as most Spitfires came from Castle Bromwich). There was also the Queen Mary low-loader that had obviously brought the Lanc. to the Common, a Churchill tank and some armoured cars and American Jeeps. Nobody knew, but we assumed that the smaller aircraft had flown onto the Common and the tank could not have been driven on public roads.

may have been in action in Korea.

We had little cash with us, but we managed to get some sweets to keep us going before setting off in euphoria to homes long forgotten. Down Oxford Road, we were still ducking and diving in abandon. David Bowie was 3 years old then, but he might have written it for us later on. We just knew that: We can do anything We could be heroes Me and you

We were able to climb up and peer into these survivors of the War and talk to servicemen, some of whom had seen active service. Soon, there were displays by military police motor-cyclists, riding in formation and criss-crossing in front of us. Some other vehicles drove past, but not the tank, and then a Tiger Moth came over and did some stunt flying. It was followed by a tight formation of Spitfires and Hurricanes doing a fly-past and looping around and flying at us at low level, before soaring and flying off.

Then we reached the top of St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Row and saw the church clock. It was 9.45!

We panicked and dashed home. A few parents were anxious, but no one had gone to the police station in Woodbridge Road.

Although we were reckless, they knew we could generally look after ourselves (not pugilistically), as they stifled our excited recitals of our experiences and sent us to bed.

That was our last innocent summer.

The display finished with a Vic formation of September would bring all the responsibilities De Havilland Vampire jet fighters from 605 of secondary school.

(University of Birmingham) Air Squadron flying over from Elmdon (now Birmingham Airport) David Spilsbury to show where the RAF was going. It is a Photo credit: birminghammail.co.uk sobering thought that a few months later they

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PLANS FOR MOSELEY RAILWAY STATION ARE OUT - AND WE NEED YOU!

Our plans for Railway Station junction

Plans have been proposed for the new railway station for Moseley. Check out http:// eplanning.idox.birmingham. gov.uk/publisher/mvc/listD ocuments?identifier=Planni ng&reference=2020/03676/ PA or simply search on Birmingham.gov.uk for the details of 2020/03676/PA planning application.

There is much to look at in these 49 documents covering everything from station designs to environmental COMMUNITY

issues.

The Forum with the support of other Moseley groups has been in discussion with the West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE), Highways and the Mayor’s office over the plans for some time now, raising issues such as: • Is there a need for a drop off zone as we try to reduce the impact of cars?

• We wanted access from 16

Woodbridge Rd to the station forecourt which is from St Mary’s Row – but the slopes are too unstable and would cost too much to put in paths.

We’ve asked for space for lifts so they could be put in when money becomes available (they’d cost about £1-2 million!)

• We totally disagreed with their plans for traffic lights at the station entrance. This would increase pollution from idling traffic, would increase www.moseleyb13.com

congestion, being so near to the traffic lights in the centre of Moseley.

• We put forward our own plans for that junction, based on those produced by Phil Jones Associates (PJA) for the whole centre of Moseley which would make it more user-friendly As a result, the Mayor’s office is fully behind our own proposals and the WMRE have asked PJA to bring our proposals up to the level of detail of their plans. This is to be found in the first document of the planning application “covering letter from applicant”, pages 3 and 4. If our plans pass their safety audit they will replace the original WMRE traffic lights plans.

The original Moseley Railway Road Junction

What we’d like you to do is to object to the traffic light plans and agree with our proposals for a roundabout. See the two photos of these plans.

Our plans should hopefully be going in by mid-June and comments have to be made by 26 June. I’ve included a

WMRE plans for Traffic Lights Junction for Station entrance

info@moseleyb13.com

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photo of the original junction in the 19th century: here you can see a small roundabout.

Strange how things come back round again!

David Isgrove Chair of Moseley Forum

HOPE AND RESILIENCE: POETRY AND PROSE

“Hope” is the thing with feathers - / That perches in the soul - / And sings the tune without the words - / And never stops – at all...

Emily Dickinson Emily Dickinson's poem likens the concept of hope to a bird perched on the soul, forever singing inside us even when we are facing the darkest of times. Poetry and prose offer creative ways to deal with fear and uncertainty, and over the next six-pages we gather together different aspects of the process...

MOSELEY CALLING It's Bohemian lights they called me – To the cafés, CND and the Arts.

From outer Kings Norton it hauled me – To a bedsit, a bike and false starts.

I dreamt of red radical wine, And learning to play the viola.

Of going to gigs, despising the pigs, And thinking intently of Zola.

I wanted to be committed – Protest, debate and relate.

So I picked up the gist, and a banner, And scanned the front line for a mate.

Now Gregory seemed very 'active' – Alert, well-informed and keen, But when he said he was in NVDA – I dismissed him as being unclean.

So through Moseley's streets I meander, Stripped socks and hair desperately green.

I think of becoming a vegan.

Then think about what that would mean.

Meet my mates at the check-out at Tesco, Take tea, a chat and a bun.

We thrash out this world's recession.

Then titter – then laugh and have fun.

Moseley is tawdry, Moseley is sad.

Moseley is bawdy, Moseley is mad.

Moseley's aspiring, Moseley's a dive.

Moseley is bijou, BUT, Moseley's ALIVE !!

Susan Phillips I yearned for dramatic expression – This 'piece' only needing a chance – So shouting “No Nukes" for the last time, I declared I could Act, Sing and Dance!

On the boards Rodney's stagecraft was vital, And yearn for good parts as I might – Off-stage John and Phil felt his presence.

Finale – Upstaged – Exit Right.

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LOCKDOWN FEVER I must go down to the woods again, The lonely woods and the sky.

And all I ask is a clear space to avoid the passersby.

As a 'keep away' and a 'stay safe' song resonates in our ears With a white mask on my hairy face, To banish all my fears.

I must go down to the woods again, For the call of the big outside is a wild call and a clear call that cannot be denied.

And all I ask is for fresh clean air with sounds of countless birds singing And the woodland way winding to where bluebells are nodding.

I must go down to the woods again, to waken up my life To the new way, the two metre way, to remove all my strife And all I ask is to stay safe, to be free from worry and fear, To know that though life has changed forever, a slower way, a better way is here.

David Isgrove (Based on John Masefield's Sea Fever and inspired by a walk on the Lickey Hills)

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FEAR AND ANXIETY DURING LOCKDOWN

I passed by the playground yesterday The swings were there Empty My unborn child was there A lily, a rose or a simple jasmine My unborn child wasn't there But guess what I was there I wish you were there.

I had this dream But was it?

It was lucid, plausible Reality and dreams blend into one No boundaries, no limits Where was I? In my dream or in reality?

Katerina Chamberlain, Reader

CITY'S EDGE

You’re upstairs on the No. 50 bus in Kings Heath High Street. The traffic always clogs here, as ‎people flock to shops supplied by juggernauts with goods funnelled in from around the world: ‎money pours into the tills.

If time froze on the bus, yet the buildings all around it vanished, taking you back a couple of ‎centuries, you’d see how the land falls gently to the west towards a little river they call the Rea. ‎Over your right shoulder is the brook that sculpted Highbury Park running down towards the ‎river. To the east – your left – instead of the redbrick Methodist church at the top of Cambridge ‎Road, you might spot the source of Coldbath Brook, which falls through Moseley Bog to ‎Sarehole millpool and the River Cole – places where Tolkien and his brother played as children ‎when their rented house, three miles from the centre, HISTORY

stood at the edge of the rapidly growing ‎city.‎ This ancient track (now the A435) became a turnpike road in the 18th century, a toll road, connecting Worcestershire farms to the small but growing town of Birmingham to the north. ‎You see the heathland on either side that isn’t worth cultivating. Time outside the bus moves ‎forward. The road improves, and fields appear around you as [market] demand in Birmingham swells. The railway cuts deeply through the land in 1840; new buildings appear ‎along what has become a high street; the suburb’s population explodes as Birmingham ‎expands – the city swallows Kings Heath whole in 1911.‎ The present reasserts itself; the traffic moves.

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The bus stops at a crossroads in a hollow. The only ‎stream you can see here now is made up of half-ton chunks of metal and plastic purring at the ‎traffic lights, belching invisible soot, carbon and nitrous oxides, drinking petroleum and ‎gulping oxygen.‎

A sign by a footpath: Walkers Heath Park.

You enter. Here’s the stream, not much bigger than ‎a ditch, but graced with trees and rocky interruptions – when you look at a map at home ‎you’ll find out this is Chinn Brook, and follow its course with your finger to the River Cole. ‎You’re surprised how big the park is as you wander round broad mown paths cut through ‎long grass. The hedges are filled with hawthorn flower and blossoming rowan trees abound: ‎two shades of glorious white in the late May evening sunshine which has finally emerged from ‎the clouds to welcome you.

Over the stream, up a bridleway; a hayfield on your left, a grazed ‎field on your right. Are you still in Birmingham? Perhaps you’ve crossed the border into ‎Worcestershire.‎

The lights turn green. It’s late spring: even the tallest of the street trees are in full leaf. You’re in ‎the northern part of Shakespeare’s Arden Forest, which in his time was a patchwork of woods ‎and ploughland and pasture and unruly hedges stretching to Stratford. Trees have been ‎cleared in the centuries since to grow grain and cattle, to provide firewood for the hearth, to ‎make charcoal to smelt iron, to build tea clippers and Nelson’s navy, to accommodate ‎hedgerow-hating tractors, and to make way for acre after acre of houses, shops and factories, ‎schools, hospitals and churches. You’re glad of your front seat. The leaves brushing the glass ‎lift your spirits.‎

Back to the stream to seek its source. Along a track, across a narrow road, into some very ‎rough pasture. You scramble down to the stream itself and find a muddy path. Soon, you’re ‎blocked by barbed wire. Back through the park, past ball courts, playground and allotments ‎to another bus stop. From the top deck, you notice more partly wooded open space on the ‎other side of the road, surrounded by what you guess is social housing. In a few weeks you’ll ‎return, following the brook downstream in that direction, and find clumps of mixed native ‎woodland; a surprising line of pines on the brook’s bank; the torso of a rusty burnt-out ‎motorbike asking to be photographed: an accidental work of art. Then unmanicured ‎scrubland will lead to a canal – must be the same one the bus crossed over – and you’ll see ‎the stream tunnel under it. It’ll be drizzling, none too warm. You’ll feel like an explorer, absurdly ‎pleased to find this place, to belong to this city of surprises.‎

Soon, a steep hill down to a canal. You see the sports centre on your left, but not the little ‎wood tucked behind it. You don’t notice the Chinn Brook alongside the canal at the bottom ‎of the valley: it runs into the Cole by Trittiford Pool, where the mill had four stones for grinding ‎corn in 1783. You don’t realise that on your right the Chinn now boasts a tiny local nature ‎reserve (they call it Jasmin Fields, but much of it is dense scrubby woodland).‎

The bus climbs up the other side. Onto the Maypole, a whirligig of traffic connecting the city to ‎the motorway beyond. You turn sharp right. A dozen thirteen-storey blocks rise around you, ‎surrounded by prefabricated terraced houses. Slum clearances in the 1960s spawned estates of ‎council housing on the city circumference, wherever land was cheap.

When the bus drops ‎downhill and stops in Chris Fewings the valley bottom you look left and notice a line of trees leading to a ‎row of prefabs. You guess the trees grew by a stream, which now runs underground. You alight ‎and follow them. ‎ info@moseleyb13.com

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Karl Merrick: All Things Folk

If you love all things regarding the traditional arts scene you would surely have bumped into Karl at one event or another in the Moseley area. He is all things folk in a living being: the music he plays, the poetry he writes and the way he dresses.

Karl is a regular performer at open days and special events at Sarehole Mill, and he can be seen performing songs and music at the Traditional Art Events at the Prince of Wales in Moseley. He also performs regularly at a plethora of open mic events.

One of his recent poems is currently in the Pre-Raphaelite Society Journal, of which he is very proud. Karl has always enjoyed poetry since childhood and even won a certificate for a poem when he was in primary school. This love of poetry flourished when his academic studies took him to The Romantic period of the 18th and 19th Century, a period of time that

still fascinates him today. Karl is studying for a PhD in Pre-Raphaelite Poetry at Birmingham City University.

Karl has always had a strong love of music and performed glam rock and punk as a teenager. The historian in him developed with age, taking him further back in time on his search for the traditional folk music of England. This has led to him learning to play a wide variety of instruments including the guitar, banjo, appalachian dulcimer, autoharp, ukulele, mandolin, concertina and harmonica.

Karl is also known to sing a Murder Ballad every now and then.

Karl has recently formed a duo with Kate Akars and I have seen them perform at the Station in Kings Heath - they are well worth hunting out if you enjoy traditional folk music.

Until that time, you can see them perform on their own Facebook page and YouTube channel.

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Cupid's Hunting Fields by Karl Merrick

If she loved me, love is cold and unkind,

Trust ye, to shoot me,

Her sugared words made me sick with joy, She, torn from paintings lost long ago,

Eros, Cupid, blind and stupid youth, What gods bore ye? Raven or dove?

And thou art the product, thus of both; Pleasure and Pain, War and Love, And thou shot hard, shot straight and true; Stifled my mind and clove me from dreams, Yet who should you shoot poorly through?

Scarce scratch the skin, pierce her seams: The ambivalent maiden, with a beauty of stone, One who lives in the shadows, fixed in a frame,

To be half a man, no, barely a boy; A statue’s heart I can never know, Would I dart ‘til all of her pain would relent, Just truly I longed in her bosom to rest, I dart her til we, both spattered and spent, Grew colder and colder, now she does me detest, I would beg thee shoot me, again, once more, If my poor heart could stand the thrill, And go roving once more, on your hunting floor, Shoot, young Eros, shoot to kill.

Did she love me once? But now better alone, Her eyes are vacant, I daren’t call her name, Yet enamoured am I, sick of her beauty, Fixed painted lips, scarcely a smile, Speak nothing of purpose, meaning or duty; We lay and dreamt for days a while, Hand me thy arrow, I shall make her love me, Pierce her harder, over and over again, The folds that blind thee, they shall bind she, To hurt is to feel, and to love it is pain, Yet feel she will not, she will not relent, To the arrows that pierce or the ties that bind, Yet I feel or I think she must be content, To haunt my dreams and harrow my mind, Is her sole purpose mere pure decoration?

Why shoot a statue? Stupid hunter of hearts, In this sick, shallow world of imagination, It’s love for love’s sake and art for art’s, Tell me Eros, how can I make her feel?

You, a god, must sure know her mind, Half a person; is half a love real? info@moseleyb13.com

Debbie Aldous h t t p s : / / m . f a c e b o o k . c o m / kateakersandkarlmerrick/?ref=m_notif&notif_ t=page_post_reaction https://www.youtube.com/user/kateak ers?fbclid=IwAR198oh2bKDEvmNLb0ytLJyUdu84SRcXir_YfbiTyF9bg0rwOJIbEe3VNg

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At the south end of Wake Green Road, a row of 17 bungalows is a testament to Britain’s recovery after World War II. The Wake Green prefabs – prefabricated houses – were built in 1945 to help solve the nation’s post-war housing crisis and only planned to last for 10 years. 75 years on, most are still inhabited and loved by the people who live in them.

Birmingham once had more than 4,600 prefabs all across the city. Fewer than 100 remain and the Wake Green houses are unique as one of only two sites of post-war prefabs in England which are listed by Historic England.

For five years a group of the city’s heritage organisations has been working to protect the prefabs and share their fascinating design and history with hundreds of visitors on Heritage Open Days.

After 75 years, many of the bungalows, mostly owned

by Birmingham City Council, needed major repairs.

Thanks to our lobbying, the council has agreed to carry out a restoration programme, with conservation advice and consultation with the tenants. This will make the homes fit for modern living and respect their heritage features.

Restoration is due to begin this year, and Listed Building permission was granted just before the Covid emergency.

The builders, Wates, and the council are keen to get work under way once they know they can do it safely.

Meanwhile, the heritage groups – the Prefab Museum, the Twentieth Century Society West Midlands, and Birmingham Conservation Trust – are planning to mark the 75th anniversary with COMMUNITY

WAKE GREEN R 75 YEARS O

events, entertainment and activities to celebrate the history of prefabs.

By the end of WWII more than three million buildings in Britain had been destroyed and over a quarter of the nation’s housing was beyond repair or severely damaged.

In Birmingham, 71 air raids had destroyed over 12,000 houses and damaged 70,000 more. Despite massive slum clearances and building schemes between the wars, industrial cities like 24

Birmingham were still packed with cheap, overcrowded and unsanitary dwellings, and building had halted for the duration of the war. The nation had a housing crisis and needed up to four million new homes.

With the economy on a war footing for six years, building labour and materials were scarce. New methods of construction were needed, and revolutionary designs that could be mass-produced www.moseleyb13.com

two-bedroom bungalows, made of aluminium, timber, concrete or asbestos usually over a steel frame. They had built-in furniture and were designed around a central bathroom and kitchen unit.

For many new residents, it was the first time they had an indoor loo. The kitchen contained wonders like a built-in fridge and a back boiler that provided hot water and central heating.

Most people over 40 have a memory of prefabs … growing up in them or visiting friends and relatives.

Until the 1980s, they were a familiar part of the city streetscape. The visitors who come to our open days include people who live locally and always wanted to peek inside; people who come to tell us about their memories; architecture fans and history buffs; and parents who want to show their children a living slice of the city’s history.

We have ambitious plans for the prefab celebrations and want to hear from anyone who wants to get involved or stay updated.

Visit our Facebook page – The Prefabulous Group – https://www.facebook.com/ WakeGreenRoad/ where we’ve started collecting ideas, and check out the Prefab Museum’s website social thinking. https://www.prefabmuseum.

Housing was central to uk/ or write to us at post-war plans and the Prefabulousgroup@gmail.

1944 Housing (Temporary com.

Accommodation) Act authorised the building Lou Robson of 150,000 prefabricated houses, designed by skilled Lou Robson is a heritage engineers and architects consultant who loves 20thbuildings and and made in factories that century Birmingham’s had until recently been researching carrying out war production. prefab history.

There were 13 models – the Wake Green houses are the Phoenix type – of

OAD PREFABS: OF HISTORY in factories and built by unskilled labour on site in a few days. Post-war recovery planning acknowledged that ordinary people, who suffered the Depression of the Thirties and sacrificed much during the war, deserved a better world and better distribution of resources.

Health (establishment of the NHS), education (the Butler Act of 1944), welfare (the Beveridge Report) were all products of that change in info@moseleyb13.com

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COMMUNITY

BRIDGING THE GAP

The GAP Arts Project in Balsall Heath hasn't been letting the grass grow under its feet during lockdown. After having to temporarily close its lovely youth arts space and community café at The Old Print Works, the team have come up with myriad creative ways of responding to the COVID-19 crisis.

Their first move was to start delivering freshly cooked meals to young asylum seekers during Ramadan. Prepared by young chef Hassan, himself a refugee and café regular, hundreds of delicious dishes have been delivered by GAP trustees and volunteers, so that isolated young people can safely break their fast at sundown (read more at bit.ly/2LHdcIk).

The ingenious team have also created ‘Family Garden Days’ for isolating young families without access to outdoor space.

Using a secluded plot of land donated by one of their café regulars, the team got the grass cut, procured garden furniture and outdoor games and hired a portaloo. They then started inviting one local family at a time to have a whole day outside in the sunshine, with a delicious healthy picnic prepared at the café to enjoy. It’s given parents an opportunity to relax and kids to run around and let off steam safely, and everything gets scrubbed down afterwards ready for the next visitors.

Alongside these community projects The GAP’s creative output has gone into overdrive as well, with emergency funding from Arts 26

Council England. ‘100 Hundred Stories Deep’ is a storytelling project engaging scores of local artists in the telling of 100 stories online over 100 days. All 100 stories will be accessible on GAP’s YouTube https://bit.ly/36fntFm starting from Monday 25 May. Moreover, the team are challenging the local community to get involved themselves.

Having commissioned five local young artists to produce portraits of themselves under lockdown to inspire the community, the call is now out for local people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to send in their own self-portraits, which will go on to form an actual exhibition at The GAP’s gallery when restrictions are lifted. Full details can be found at http://www.thegapartsproject.co.uk/selfisolated.

And last but not least, The GAP is inviting everyone to send in home video clips showing creativity and ingenuity of all kinds since the lockdown began. The GAP will then edit them into a short film, a wonderful archive filled with familiar faces, neighbours and friends, all sharing the amazing creativity in our community during these unprecedented times.

And you’re all invited to star! Raring to go?

Then head to https://www.thegapartsproject. co.uk/film-call-out.

To get involved in any of these projects, donate or become a Friend of The GAP, please go to www.thegapartsproject.co.uk. www.moseleyb13.com

JUST TO SAY...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We released our first digital version of the magazine last month and received some kind words on social media. Actor and Moseleyite Alexandria Carr (recently seen on stage in Pressure at The Crescent Theatre) posted the following praise on Instagram: “I just had a look at the mag on the app, it's ace, super easy to use! Loads of great articles inside too x”. Alex has been posting some fantastically fun Lockdown News videos on YouTube. Thanks, Alex!

Follow Alex on Instagram and YouTube – 'AC The Duchess'.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

They’d locked the doors: they were isolating themselves and were scared and fearful for their lives.

No – not 2020 but probably AD29. This ‘band of brothers and sisters’ had seen their leader killed in the most horrible fashion man could then invent. Would they be next? When they’d last seen him, he’d told them to wait … but for what?

Then it happened …

The Upper Room in Jerusalem where it all began

in Iran where you have to be prepared to lose property, be thrown into jail and even be martyred for your faith - to the Anglican Gas Street Church off Broad St! The last Sunday in May (which in the West we call Whitsun) is one of the most important days for Christians, alongside Christmas and Easter – Pentecost! But it’s not often talked about and there’s no commercial celebration like presents, Easter Eggs or Easter Bunnies!!

I believe things like this are worth exploring further.

David Isgrove

Home Church in Iran

An underground They were totally changed by a supernatural event – the Church was born as the Holy Spirit came and empowered them to boldly go out.

They underwent a total change. About 4000 men and who knows how many women became ‘Followers of Christ, or the Way’ that day (The term Christian wasn’t used until years later).

Why? We presume what they heard and saw: they could check if the tomb of Jesus was empty or not and decide if he was really the Messiah, having seen his ‘miracles’ and wise teachings.

These photos show where it all began, and the variety of ‘Church’ today from the fastest growing Church in the World – Home Churches

info@moseleyb13.com

Gas Street Anglican Church, Broad St

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MOSELEY LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY SIR JOHN HOLDER

John Charles Holder (1838-1923) was an important member of the Moseley community in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

In the late nineteenth

century John Charles Holder lived at Pitmaston, off Moor Green Lane. He was a wealthy maltster and brewer who owned the Midland Brewery in Nova Scotia Street, close 28

to Curzon Street station in Birmingham. The firm was taken over by Mitchell & Butlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in 1919 and the brewery closed soon afterwards.

In 1884, John Holder www.moseleyb13.com

Minature Railway

bought the Moor Green Estate following the death of the owner, John Arnold, a solicitor.

The 1884 House Auction Plan shows the freehold residence Moor Green Cottage, gardens and grounds, and a building estate of fifty acres. The Holders demolished Moor Green Cottage and built Pitmaston House, which boasted a lake and a cascading stream. John Holder’s wife, Geraldine Augusta Baynton Knipe, whom he had married in 1872, was a descendant of John Williams, a famous horticulturist who had grown the Pitmaston Duchess Pear.

Pitmaston was the name of Geraldine’s home in Worcester.

The Holders had ten children: six girls, Kathleen, Geraldine, Flora, Edith, Isabella and Gladys, and four boys, Alfred, Henry, Norman and John. The Holders were miniature railway enthusiasts, fascinated by technology. They built a 10¼ inch gauge railway track around the grounds of the house in 1898 and info@moseleyb13.com

the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) rode on the train and burnt his hand by touching the rails.

A picture shows some fifteen people sitting on the train with their tennis racquets on the way to the Pitmaston tennis courts.

Holder is quoted in The Car magazine of 1902 as follows: “It is hard to believe that this quiet and delightful retreat is so close to the suburbs of a large manufacturing city like Birmingham...

Pitmaston is one of those large estates which have preserved to Moor Green its picturesque aspect… saving them from being devoured by the onward march of the growing city, and its ubiquitous minions of the builder, who swallows up land in the near suburbs by the acre.”

Ironically, approximately ten years after Holder's death, that very fate befell Pitmaston, with the development of its lands into housing. On his death in 1923, Holder’s estate 29

was valued at £597,278 16s 5d and was left to his wife and four sons, who survived him. Sir John’s widow, Lady Geraldine Holder, went to live near Newbury in Berkshire, and died on 27 November 1943, aged 98 years, at Bladon House, Newbury, leaving £81,302 4s 4d to her son and two daughters and one grand-daughter.

Janet Berry For more information on Sir John Holder and Pitmaston, please see 'The History of Moor Green Allotmotments' on our website (moseleysociety/local-history.org. uk).

NEXT MONTH IN MOSELEY B13 MAGAZINE! ANDY WICKETT CHATS TO BRIAN TRAVERS (UB40 member and visual artist) about their time at Moseley School of Art. There will also be a very special annoucement about Moseley B13 Magazine's brand new YouTube channel, featuring the full video interview with Andy and Brian!

NEWSHOUND INVESTIGATES... DOGS IN LOCKDOWN. How are our four-legged friends coping during the pandemic?

PHEW! WHAT A SCORCHER! Moseley Memories recalls the blistering summer of 1947!

THE BIRMINGHAM TORNADO 15 YEARS ON: We remember the tornado that tore through Moseley, Kings Heath, Balsall Heath and Sparkbrook on 28 July, 2005.

The July issue will be available from 27 June in local shops and from Moseley Together for those in self isolation, and also in digital form on Issuu.

Please send your letters for Just to Say... or other correspondence to: editor@moseleymagazine.co.uk. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to hear about your experiences of lockdown or if you have memories of the Birmingham Tornado. The Newshound will greatly appreciate any photos or experiences of dogs and other pets in lockdown. See you next month!

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info@moseleyb13.com

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Moseley Together COVID-19: Community support for Moseley

We can help if you...

Are unable to leave your home because of COVID-19 (coronavirus) Need some help with getting shopping, picking up prescriptions or other errands Feel isolated and need someone to talk to Neighbours helping neighbours We are local volunteers supporting the community in Moseley, making sure everyone has what they need to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis.

If you need support...

Call or text 07796 668257 Email info@moseleytogether.org.uk

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to volunteer to support others...

Call or text 07796 668257 Email info@moseleytogether.org.uk www.moseleytogether.org.uk

@moseleytogether

@moseleytogether

We cannot give medical advice. If you need medical assistance: Visit 111.nhs.uk/covid-19 or call 111. In an emergency call 999.

Do not let strangers into your home. Our volunteers will not ask you to open your door, or enter your home. If you are suspicious, call 999.

609007 772050

Moseley CDT is a registered charity no. 1087949 and company limited by guarantee registered in England no. 4163271

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Moseley councillors Cllr Kerry Jenkins Cllr Martin Straker Welds

ISSN 2050-6090

00508

Moseley Together is led by Moseley Community Development Trust, working in partnership with...